UAB Lands Its Quarterback, and Alabama's G6 Programs Are Loading Up

UAB landed its first quarterback of the 2027 recruiting class when Jordan Shambley, a 6-3, 185-pound rising senior from Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, committed to the Blazers on June 15 — four days after getting the offer. He is the fourth commit in the class and part of a June that has been busy across all four Alabama-based G6 programs.

South Alabama has 13 commits, 10 of them this month. Jacksonville State has 11, headlined by four-star Miami Central cornerback Avier "Sauce" Jordan. Troy has three and is offering across four classes.

And Russell Davis, a 6-3, 285-pound defensive lineman from Northeast Mississippi Community College, visited UAB on June 12, South Alabama today and is scheduled at Troy on Thursday — three of the four programs in the same week, chasing the same player. Here is where things stand, school by school.

UAB — 5 Commits

Shambley, a rising senior, becomes the first quarterback in UAB's 2027 recruiting class and the fourth overall commit, joining offensive linemen Kaiden McKenzie (6-4, 330, Brookwood, Ga.) and Bryce Daniels (6-4, 321, Buchholz, Fla.) and receiver Dai'jon Hayes (6-0, 175, Tift County, Ga.).

UAB also landed JUCO defensive tackle Jshawn Jinks (6-4, 330, Georgia Military College) on June 16. Jinks, a December 2026 graduate, visited campus earlier this month and gives Mortensen an immediate addition to the defensive line.

Shambley chose UAB over offers from Troy, Marshall, Liberty, UMass, Samford, Austin Peay, North Alabama, Jackson State, Southern Illinois and West Alabama. He had official visits to Marshall and UMass scheduled before making his decision, according to Blazer Victory, which first reported the details of the commitment. Their full breakdown of the commitment — including Jimmy Marion and Darion Smith's film analysis — is worth a read for UAB fans.

Shambley's recruitment accelerated in May. He entered the month with three reported offers. He left it with 10 after a 22-day stretch that brought interest from Marshall, Liberty, Samford, Austin Peay, Southern Illinois and UMass. Troy had offered a year earlier, in June 2025.

As a first-year varsity starter in 2025, Shambley threw for approximately 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns with eight rushing touchdowns in 10 games, helping Hillcrest to a 6-4 record, per Blazer Victory.

Darion Smith, a former UAB center and co-host of the Blazer Victory Podcast, reviewed Shambley's film.

"The first thing that jumps out is the zip on the football," Smith told Blazer Victory. "Shambley has good arm strength and can make every throw on the field. His delivery may be a little lower than ideal at times, but his release is quick and smooth."

Smith noted Shambley's poise and polish for a high school quarterback.

"What impressed me most is how poised he looks," Smith said. "The game doesn't appear too fast for him and he seems comfortable operating within the structure of the offense."

The commitment fits a recruiting philosophy rooted in geography. Coaches have discussed the importance of recruiting Alabama and targeting prospects within a 500-mile radius of campus, per Blazer Victory. A quarterback from Tuscaloosa fits that approach.

It also fits Mortensen's background. He spent nine years at Alabama as a graduate assistant and offensive analyst, working with quarterbacks Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones and Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young. Shambley has trained for several years with Raising Champions, the quarterback development organization run by Galu Tagovailoa — Tua's father. A Tuscaloosa quarterback trained by Tua's dad, committing to a head coach who helped develop Tua at Alabama. The connection is hard to miss.

South Alabama — 13 Commits

South Alabama has 13 commitments in its 2027 class, 10 of them in June.

South Alabama's footprint runs through the Gulf Coast and into Louisiana. Six of the 13 commits are from Alabama, three from Florida and three from Louisiana. The lone outlier is Royal Maxwell, a defensive lineman from East Coweta, Ga.

The Jaguars secured their quarterback early when Christian Segar (6-3, 195, Daphne) committed in April. They have since filled out the class across every position group: two running backs, two receivers, two offensive linemen, two tight ends, a linebacker, a cornerback, a defensive lineman and an athlete.

Two Daphne products are in the class — Segar and offensive lineman Courtney Maxwell (6-4, 300). The Jaguars also picked up a pair from Tallahassee Lincoln in Trevor Jacobs and Kamren McMillan.

South Alabama's offer sheet extends well beyond the 2027 class. The Jaguars have offered 2029 defensive tackle Jordyn Fernandez (6-3, 310, Gulfport, Miss.) and 2030 defensive end Paul Kyles (6-2, 223, Daphne) — a sophomore and a freshman.

The Jaguars are also looking at JUCO help. LaDarius Jemes, a 6-4, 250-pound defensive lineman from Hutchinson Community College and a December 2026 graduate, holds a South Alabama offer and visited Mobile today.

Jacksonville State — 11 Commits

The Gamecocks have 10 commitments in the 2027 class.

Avier "Sauce" Jordan, a 6-4.5 cornerback from Miami Central, committed June 14. Jordan carries an 85 rating from 247Sports, making him a four-star prospect.

Jacksonville State also has two quarterbacks in the class — JaMarkius Smith (6-3, 170, Reeltown, Ala.) and Will Jones (6-2, 175, Maryville, Tenn.). Smith threw for 3,700 yards and more than 40 touchdowns over the last two seasons and also plays defense.

The Gamecocks' pipeline runs heavily through Florida, with four commits from the state, including Jordan and 81-rated defensive lineman Jayden Jordan (6-4, 285, Eau Gallie). Two commits come from Tennessee, two from Alabama and one each from Georgia and Florida.

Multiple commits — Smith, Owens, Jones, Bryant — visited and committed within days, per 247Sports.

Isaiah Calixte, a 6-0, 170-pound athlete from Coconut Creek, Fla., committed June 17. Calixte plays both receiver and defensive back and held offers from FAU, Akron, Charlotte and others. He had recently visited Charlotte and was scheduled to visit UConn before choosing Jacksonville State.

Jax State is also competing up. The Gamecocks offered 2028 athlete Kylen Johnson (5-10, 165, Plainview HS, Rainsville, Ala.), who scored 37 touchdowns as a sophomore and holds offers from Alabama, Florida State, Missouri, Miami and Georgia Tech.

Troy — 3 Commits

Troy has three commitments in the 2027 class and offers out across four classes.

Troy's commits are linebacker Jamarion Shephard (6-2, 225, Miller County, Ga.), linebacker Elijah Oden (6-4, 210, Opelika, Ala.) and Kayin Martin (5-11, 160, Blountstown, Fla.).

The Trojans' recent offer list stretches across four classes. They have offered 2028 prospects in Georgia, Florida and South Alabama, 2029 athletes at Calera and Tuskegee, and 2030 receiver Donovan Stevenson (6-1, 190, Madison Academy).

Troy is also pursuing immediate JUCO help. The Trojans offered David Giwa, a 6-4, 320-pound offensive lineman from Hutchinson Community College who graduates in December 2026. Giwa is scheduled to visit Troy on Thursday.